We asked Travel 2 what are the most frequently asked questions by clients planning to travel to Australia, who want to make a stopover in the Far East.
How much will it cost? It depends on which airline you fly with and where you want to stop. Airlines have a variety of fare types, some of which allow free stopovers while others can be built in at an additional cost – usually about £50 per stop. Hotel prices vary according to the destination. Bangkok is the cheapest option, from £10 per person per night for a three-star hotel. Some airlines offer free accommodation at their main hub city where the schedule does not provide passengers with same-day connections.
Where can I stop? People usually opt to break their journey in Bangkok, Hong Kong or Singapore but the new airline alliances have greatly increased the choice of stopovers in the Far East. For example, with the British Airways/Qantas alliance you can stop at such diverse destinations as Beijing, Bali and Tokyo. How many of these are available to you will depend on the type of fare.
How long can I stopover? Usually the airline does not set a time limit on your stopover.
Which cities provide the best stopover experience? For a short stopover, Singapore and Kuala Lumpur are recommended as they are compact and can be fully appreciated in one or two days. Singapore also has the best variety of restaurants due to its cosmopolitan nature, although eating in Bangkok is cheaper. For value for money shopping, choose Bangkok or Kuala Lumpur.
How many stopovers can I have and when can I take them?There are plenty of flexible fares available which allow multi-stopover options and you can usually decide when you want to take them.